The sights and sounds of spring sports have officially returned to Hanover and Hingham. From the crack of the bat at Forge Pond Park to the whistle on the lacrosse fields at Hingham High, the energy of a new season is undeniable.
However, for many student-athletes, the transition from a quieter winter to a high-intensity spring schedule is the "danger zone" for overuse injuries. At Elliott Physical Therapy, we see a predictable surge in clinic visits every April—not necessarily from sudden collisions, but from the cumulative stress of jumping back into full-speed competition.
Many of our local athletes haven't had a consistent "loading" program over the winter months. Jumping straight into five or six days of practice a week—often on hard turf or damp grass—places immense stress on developing bones and tendons.
"The most common injuries we see in the spring are often preventable," says the clinical team at Elliott PT. "When an athlete hasn't built a baseline of strength, their mechanics can begin to fail as fatigue sets in. That’s when we see issues like shin splints, ACL strains, and shoulder irritation start to sideline promising seasons."
1. Prioritize Proper "Loading": Endurance drills are important, but they don't replace resistance training. Building muscle mass around the knees and ankles acts as a support system, protecting ligaments during the quick pivots and sprints required in spring sports.
2. The 10% Rule for Volume: We encourage coaches and parents to monitor total "exertion minutes." Try to avoid increasing an athlete’s weekly activity by more than 10% at a time. If they are moving from off-season rest to daily practice, they need a ramp-up period to avoid burnout and injury.
3. Don't Ignore the "Aches": There is a big difference between normal muscle soreness and persistent joint pain. If a student is limping after practice or complaining of sharp, localized pain that doesn't resolve with rest, it’s a sign that their body isn't recovering effectively.
At our Hanover and Hingham locations, we specialize in youth sports conditioning and injury prevention. We don't just treat injuries after they happen; we help athletes identify muscle imbalances and mechanical "red flags" before they lead to a season-ending injury.
Whether your student is a varsity captain looking for a competitive edge or a middle-schooler starting their first season of track, our team provides personalized "Movement Prescriptions" to ensure they stay on the field and perform at their best.
If you are interested in learning more, reach out to the Elliott PT clinic nearest you!
Family-owned and operated by Darryl and Patti Elliott since 2014, Elliott Physical Therapy is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy company with nine locations in Massachusetts, including Hanover and Hingham. Focused on discovering and treating the underlying causes of injury and pain, expert clinicians at Elliott Physical Therapy use proven hands-on therapy and personalized home exercise programs to relieve your pain and improve your function. Learn more about Elliott Physical Therapy here. Appointments can be scheduled online here.